Congratulations! You made it! You survived and excelled in your student teaching. You are now a science teacher! If you would, take a few minutes to share your wisdom about how to negotiate this difficult year with the students who are following in your footsteps by answering the following questions.
a. What are some things students should do in their fall practicum to make their student teaching go more smoothly?
Definitely learn your students' names. They think it's great and are more responsive when you start teaching if you address them by their names. It's also good for classroom management - instead of having to interrupt class by addressing a talking student, you can simple slip their name in your sentence and keep on teaching. It catches them off guard because they don't think you know who they are yet.
Get a good feel for your CT and how they run their class. Do NOT try to alter what they already have in place - just go with it. Some stuff you may agree with, others you may not. The students, however, will not like big changes and it will only make the experience negative for you.
Get to know other teachers, especially the ones in your department. Come spring when you are looking for ideas and/or lessons, you will have multiple resources to go to opposed to just your CT.
Get a good handle on what your students are like in the fall, so you know what types of classroom management you will be dealing with. It is extra beneficial to practice running through possible scenarios in your head. What could potentially happen, what issues will arise, and most importantly, how will you handle them.
b. What 430 topics/assignments should students make sure are addressed in detail to prepare them for student teaching?
Unit plan - It is definitely beneficial if you plan lessons for topics you will actually be teaching. If you don't end up teaching what you planned, no stress - maybe someone else can benefit from it and you can benefit from theirs.
c. Help the next group of science education student teachers by completing the thought: "If I knew in September what I know now, I could have done a better job during student teaching if I had ...."
...played with possible classroom management scenarios in my head. Figure out what you'll see and plan in your head how you'll handle it. It's not fool proof, but it sure helps!
d. Are there other words of wisdom/encouragement that you want to share?
Don't be afraid to share! Student teaching is all about sharing. Share lessons, share ideas, share stories (both good and bad), share tips and pointers, but don't share germs!!
Be flexible! It can be really frustrating to have these great ideas and then your CT says you don't have time for it, or changes the topics all together.
Avoid getting sick. It's much harder on your part to be out of school!
Be prepared for anything!! And I mean it! Just a few personal experiences - two girls passing out in the same class, locked out of classrooms that contain ALL my planning materials, being called 'mom,' running into students on the weekends when *gasp* you are in normal clothes.
Take full advantage of getting to know the 'teacher life' - go to faculty meetings, email/call parents, take over homeroom/advisory, eat lunch with other teachers (but avoid the teacher lounge - mostly cranky teachers in there), learn how to run all necessary technology equipment, get to know the secretaries and janitors.
Have fun! It is definitely a learning experience with a cycle of highs and lows. Try to avoid frustration and stress - do this by planning ahead and going with the flow.
a. What are some things students should do in their fall practicum to make their student teaching go more smoothly?
b. What 430 topics/assignments should students make sure are addressed in detail to prepare them for student teaching?
c. Help the next group of science education student teachers by completing the thought: "If I knew in September what I know now, I could have done a better job during student teaching if I had ...."
d. Are there other words of wisdom/encouragement that you want to share?